70K
Against The Grain Brewery & Smokehouse

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- From:
- Against The Grain Brewery & Smokehouse
- Kentucky, United States
- Style:
- Sweet / Milk Stout
Ranked #39 - ABV:
- 13%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #1,120 - Avg:
- 4.32 | pDev: 6.48%
- Reviews:
- 64
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Jul 05, 2022
- Added:
- May 11, 2013
- Wants:
- 62
- Gots:
- 50
SCORE
96
World-Class
96
World-Class

Notes:
This is essentially the 35K recipe doubled. Double roasty, double chocolatey, double creamy, double delicious. Then we decided to make it 2.5X awesome by aging it in bourbon barrels for a really, really long time. The bourbon and oak flavors perfectly compliment the massive flavors in the double mega imperial milk stout. You don’t swim in this beer, it swims in you!
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Rated by tp1962 from Illinois
5/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
5/5 rDev +15.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
One of the top ten imperial stouts I have had!
Oct 25, 2021Reviewed by Treyliff from West Virginia
4.1/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
4.1/5 rDev -5.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
750ml bottle poured into a snifter
2016 Vintage
A- pours jet black in color with a one-finger dark brown head that has short retention before settling to a ring
S- dark roasted and charred malt, chocolate, black licorice, oaky bourbon, hint of vanilla
T- dark chocolate and charred malt up front, followed by notes of anise, molasses and barrel oak. The finish gives more char, with some oaky bourbon on the linger
M- medium body with moderate-low carbonation leads to a slightly foamy mouthfeel that continues into the finish
Jan 01, 20212016 Vintage
A- pours jet black in color with a one-finger dark brown head that has short retention before settling to a ring
S- dark roasted and charred malt, chocolate, black licorice, oaky bourbon, hint of vanilla
T- dark chocolate and charred malt up front, followed by notes of anise, molasses and barrel oak. The finish gives more char, with some oaky bourbon on the linger
M- medium body with moderate-low carbonation leads to a slightly foamy mouthfeel that continues into the finish
Reviewed by Eddieeight from Ohio
4.48/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
4.48/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.25
Purchased for $18 nov 2020 750ml bottle, 13% abv. . Like a wine bottle but I’ll be having it all to myself. Pour is lovely, dark brown with the deepest burgundy hue tinging the color. Nice half inch tan head but quickly dissipates and leaves no lacing whatsoever. Scent is of raisins, cherries, and plums, busting out with that faint hint of bourbon which I like so much. Taste is not quite as startling as some similar bourbon stouts, it is gentler and is very sweet on first sip. Notes of dark fruit and mild chocolate, but the bourbon doesn’t enter the palate until after the beer is swallowed, lingering in the aftertaste. Mouthfeel is medium bodied, with mild yet sparkling effervescence. Overall a good brew, although there’s nothing in the flavor profile that stands out or is unique compared to other similar brews. I’d be curious to try the 35k, and to compare the two since they are advertised to be similar, but this one double the intensity. Not bad for the day after thanksgiving!
Nov 28, 2020Reviewed by peabody from Kentucky
4.21/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
2015 bottle into a tulip. Lots of small brown bubbles that lace the clear glass from top to empty.
Sweet caramel/toffee and date/raisin up front. The bourbon barrel flavor is almost unnoticeable. Just a slight hint of sour oak then all flavors disappear except for the roasted malt char.
The 13% abv can't be felt at all even after the flavor leaves the palate.
Not much for the nose but this is a wonderful treat for all the other senses.
Oct 04, 2020Sweet caramel/toffee and date/raisin up front. The bourbon barrel flavor is almost unnoticeable. Just a slight hint of sour oak then all flavors disappear except for the roasted malt char.
The 13% abv can't be felt at all even after the flavor leaves the palate.
Not much for the nose but this is a wonderful treat for all the other senses.
Reviewed by kitch from Hong Kong
4.35/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.35/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A 750ml tightly foiled bottle, with no bottled on or best before date. Poured into a snifter glass.
Appearance: Black in colour with a thin half finger brown head that dissipated fairly quickly but left nice spotty lacing.
Aroma: Dark roasty malt, chocolate, bourbon, molasses, oak, vanilla, boozy.
Taste: Sweet, light roast, bourbon, molasses, brown sugar, chocolate, oak, vanilla, marshmallow, with dried dark fruit and boozy notes.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: A very nice sipper with the sweetness balanced by good roast and chocolate notes.
Aug 14, 2020Appearance: Black in colour with a thin half finger brown head that dissipated fairly quickly but left nice spotty lacing.
Aroma: Dark roasty malt, chocolate, bourbon, molasses, oak, vanilla, boozy.
Taste: Sweet, light roast, bourbon, molasses, brown sugar, chocolate, oak, vanilla, marshmallow, with dried dark fruit and boozy notes.
Mouthfeel: Medium to full bodied with soft carbonation.
Overall: A very nice sipper with the sweetness balanced by good roast and chocolate notes.
Reviewed by firesidewithphil from Illinois
4.33/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.33/5 rDev +0.2%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
70k is a decadent double chocolate stout. The barrel is light and dry. The beer is super sticky and fudgy, a total brownie experience.
@firesidewithphil
May 20, 2020@firesidewithphil
Reviewed by stortore from Illinois
4.4/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.4/5 rDev +1.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
750 ml bottle into a snifter. Had 2/22/19.
Pours near black, thick looking and opaque, with a half inch foamy head and some light foamy lacing. Aromas of bourbon, chocolate, malt, oak, tobacco, caramel, molasses, some char, some figs and prunes. Flavors of bourbon, malt, oak, chocolate, prunes, caramel, molasses, some tobacco, light figs. A little sweet. Smooth, creamy, a solid full body, well carbonated.
Terrific barrels, great aromas and flavors, gets better as you work through the bottle. Very enjoyable. Has a high price point, but certainly worth at least a one time purchase.
Feb 27, 2020Pours near black, thick looking and opaque, with a half inch foamy head and some light foamy lacing. Aromas of bourbon, chocolate, malt, oak, tobacco, caramel, molasses, some char, some figs and prunes. Flavors of bourbon, malt, oak, chocolate, prunes, caramel, molasses, some tobacco, light figs. A little sweet. Smooth, creamy, a solid full body, well carbonated.
Terrific barrels, great aromas and flavors, gets better as you work through the bottle. Very enjoyable. Has a high price point, but certainly worth at least a one time purchase.
Reviewed by maximum12 from Minnesota
3.85/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
3.85/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Man, remember the days AtG was a sought-after trade commodity? It was a long spell ago. Ahhh, foolish youth. 750ML bottle split with my wife.
I didn’t look, but I’ll be it’s dark. Probably black. Or dark brown. The nose spells light bourbon & chocolate, with roast the dominant factor.
70K sounds like what my girls will be paying annually for college. This beast arrives on wings of alkeehall, which I find increasingly debilitating at my rapidly advancing age. It took me a while, but I know exactly what this is: wood-infused marshmallow soaked in bourbon. Strong marshmallow. I don’t get any roast, but it’s plenty smooth & milkier than being 13 months pregnant.
If this beer were a Greek God it would be Helius. Very good brew.
Feb 13, 2020I didn’t look, but I’ll be it’s dark. Probably black. Or dark brown. The nose spells light bourbon & chocolate, with roast the dominant factor.
70K sounds like what my girls will be paying annually for college. This beast arrives on wings of alkeehall, which I find increasingly debilitating at my rapidly advancing age. It took me a while, but I know exactly what this is: wood-infused marshmallow soaked in bourbon. Strong marshmallow. I don’t get any roast, but it’s plenty smooth & milkier than being 13 months pregnant.
If this beer were a Greek God it would be Helius. Very good brew.
Reviewed by jzeilinger from Pennsylvania
4.35/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.35/5 rDev +0.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
A - Dark brown pour with a caramel creamy lacing ring. Lots of legs on the sides of the glass as it oozes down the sides.
S - Deep milk chocolate and bourbon, vanilla, oak.
T - Lots of roasted cocoa, milk chocolate, bourbon, oak, there's also a small amount dark fruit.
M - Thick and silky with light warming on the way down.
O - Pretty impressive overall.
Dec 30, 2019S - Deep milk chocolate and bourbon, vanilla, oak.
T - Lots of roasted cocoa, milk chocolate, bourbon, oak, there's also a small amount dark fruit.
M - Thick and silky with light warming on the way down.
O - Pretty impressive overall.
Reviewed by q33jeff from New Jersey
4.36/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
4.36/5 rDev +0.9%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
**
12/01/19
Bottle to snifter.
LOOK: jet black with a very big foamy head. Excellent retention. Big bubbles in the foam and several shades if tan / beige / light brown resulting in a creamy hot chocolate or cappuccino like head.
AROMA: bourbon, vanilla, chocolate.
TASTE: chocolate milk with a hint of bourbon. 13.0% abv is so well masked it is only somewhat apparent b/c of the bourbon flavor.
FEEL: creamy and full bodied.
**
Dec 01, 201912/01/19
Bottle to snifter.
LOOK: jet black with a very big foamy head. Excellent retention. Big bubbles in the foam and several shades if tan / beige / light brown resulting in a creamy hot chocolate or cappuccino like head.
AROMA: bourbon, vanilla, chocolate.
TASTE: chocolate milk with a hint of bourbon. 13.0% abv is so well masked it is only somewhat apparent b/c of the bourbon flavor.
FEEL: creamy and full bodied.
**
Reviewed by VABA from Virginia
4.3/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
4.3/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
A-Pours a dark color with a slight head and lacing
A-Aroma has very slight Bourbon and lactose hints
T-The taste follows the nose with slight Bourbon and lactose flavors
M-A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
O-A good Milk Stout
Sep 13, 2019A-Aroma has very slight Bourbon and lactose hints
T-The taste follows the nose with slight Bourbon and lactose flavors
M-A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
O-A good Milk Stout
Reviewed by Bluerabbitbell from Pennsylvania
4.25/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.25/5 rDev -1.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Date night at Caliente Pizza and draft house. Interestingly had the same night as Founder's CBS. Not very different in flavor. If you ate looking for a sweet imperial... Here ya go!
Nov 24, 2018Reviewed by degueulasse from California
4.21/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.21/5 rDev -2.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
This is a thick beer with little carbonation that pours deep black into the glass with little head. It smells like maple and tastes like bourbon and chocolate (65% cacao or so), making it a nice, roasty, sweet beer with a more complex taste than most.
Nov 21, 2018Reviewed by EMH73 from New York
4.37/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.37/5 rDev +1.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Pours black with a quarter inch light brown head that left good lacing. Smells and tastes of dark chocolate, espresso, roasted malts, vanilla, bourbon, oak, licorice and a bit of dark fruits. Heavy bodied, lush and creamy mouth feel, light carbonation and just a hint of bitterness on the finish.
Nov 18, 2018Reviewed by Scott17Taylor from Iowa
4.56/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
4.56/5 rDev +5.6%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.5
Outstanding barrel aged stout. The chocolate and espresso notes are definitely the most dominate, but there is a vanilla that comes through mid palate that almost resembles a chocolate covered marshmallow. The barrel is very well done, the bourbon notes are very pronounced but aren’t overpowering, they play really well into the chocolate, dark fruit, and roastiness. The mouthfeel is thick and coating, I love these syrupy imperial stouts. This is one of the better ones I’ve had and I would recommend searching it out.
Nov 11, 2018
70K from Against The Grain Brewery & Smokehouse
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
381 ratings
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